Comment from Amos N. Handy
Time: March 20, 2008, 10:08 am

Here is something I’d like to share and think worthwhile, as to the effect that speech has had on others as well …

Dear Oprah,

I have followed America’s hopes and dreams since the days of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The struggles black Americans have suffered, to gain voter registration, the desegregation of schools, their fight for equal opportunity, the war in Viet Nam, all have had a lasting effect on my family , even though we are Canadian. You see I have family in the United States, two nephews, one a newly-wed and his lovely lady, in the village of Holly, MI and the second who is attending College in upstate Michigan and their parents, who live in the community of Davison, MI. Whenever we’ve gotten together these last few years, the conversation has eventually rolled around to presidential politics and if there was one thing instilled in me by my father, it was “Do not discuss another man’s politics, neither on that man’s soil nor in his home” and I have tried my darnedest to follow his advice. It has been difficult however,( with the collapse of industry, job losses and the mortgage foreclosures these folks are surrounded by and witness to, (but fortunately have not personally suffered), in their everyday lives ), for yours truly not to voice my opinion.

I found hope today … and feel compelled to momentarily disregard my fathers advice and give voice to a resolve that must be adopted… That hope came from words spoken by Barack Obama in addressing America’s divisiveness. After hearing that speech, if I were permitted to cast a ballot to enhance the advancement of all races, I would vote for Obama. America please don’t let this man’s sincerity and dignity, pass you by.

At or near the end of these encouraging words, Barack spoke of a young white lady named Ashley(sic)and an elderly black gentleman(unnamed) both of whom were campaign workers, sitting at a round table session in South Carolina. Barack explained Ashley’s story, of when at the age of nine - her mother battled cancer and because of her mother taking time off work, with this illness, she lost her job and her medical coverage. ( this is inconceivable to me as a Canadian) Ashley, realizing at such a young age, food costs would be burdensome on the household, told her mother she preferred mustard and relish sandwiches, unbeknown to her mother, this was in hopes of helping out because they were cheap. Ashley stated she was assisting in the Obama campaign to make sure Americans, may never again face the indignities her family had faced.
“Citizens should never again lose their jobs and medical coverage because of illness.” Other’s seated spoke of their personal stories and why they were working on Omba’s behalf and finally, they asked the elderly black gentleman, why he was there.

“I find this an interpretation of ones heart …”

… this elderly black gentleman didn’t speak of any personal injustice, he most surely suffered throughout his life, or the mess this administration has created over the past seven plus years … he said simply, that he was there because of Ashley.
The kindness expressed in this elderly gentleman’s words, along with the recognition of both he and this young lady, in Obama’s stimulating speech, is the inspiration needed for both black and white to find each other and understand what brought us to the unravelling of, and disrespect for, human decency.
Would you please consider having on your program, Ashley, this unnamed elderly black gentleman, and other parties present at that South Carolina round table ? It would be a moment in history missed, if these individuals were in some unrehearsed way, responsible for the immediacy in confronting and “solving”, America’s racial divide. I feel both these individuals, should be present at Obama’s inauguration, please convey that message and thank you for this opportunity.
Sincerely, Harold D. Reid
“an old Canuck”

Comment from timr
Time: March 20, 2008, 10:09 am

Josh, Obama proves that he is no one hit wonder once more. Here is his speech on national security and Iraq. Excellent job, I hope that as many people hear this as did his speech on race.
http://news14.com/Video/video_pop.aspx?vids=64162&sid=1&rid=94

Comment from “Old Canuck”
Time: March 20, 2008, 10:27 am

Could someone assist in this letter getting to Oprah, as her office does not accept parcels or letters and her email will not permit anything over 2000 characters ?

And thank you for your help Amos .

Comment from Leftcoast
Time: March 20, 2008, 10:57 am

It’s possible that Obama’s speech was a game-changing moment in ways far beyond the campaign. I certainly hope so if for no other reason that it was the first time in 40 years we’ve had a politician tell the truth about the American condition with such unflinching clarity and eloquence. If that’s how Obama intends to lead, and if that level of articulation is applicable to areas where he is not so personally knowledgeable, like national security and the economy, he has the potential to be a Lincoln or a Roosevelt.

But he has to be elected first. Repetition of such hateful imagery is powerful and you’ll see it again and again, and worse over the next 8 months. These images are searing reminders of our basest instincts and in 30 seconds precondition perceptions far more powerfully than 37 minutes of undeniable eloquence. We all wish that it were not so, but that’s how we form opinions these days. Further, the real challenge for Obama is not to get too distracted over race and make it the main issue when people are losing their jobs and their net worth, we’re spending trillions in Iraq, facing challenges of global warming…

It’s all well and good that universities, school and community groups are embracing the speech. They’re not the ones who will lead the change or need to learn the lessons Obama offered. This election, more than any that I can remember will reveal exactly who we are and what we stand for, especially if Obama is the nominee.

Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: March 20, 2008, 2:02 pm

Old Canuck, sent Oprah a short version of your story. Get her attention with the meat of your story, your call to action, that you want someone invited to Obama’s inauguration, that only she could make happen. If they bite, then you can provide the details.

Actually, the inauguration is too far off with two many variables. Ask her to get him invited to an upcoming Barack speech. That would be better.

Good luck. They often go for stuff like this, but you’ve got to hook them in the first sentence.

Comment from “Old Canuck”
Time: March 20, 2008, 2:15 pm

Thank you much Josh Hammond and I will keep you posted at BoB.
Much obliged.